City councillors seem willing to consider preserving some of the interior aspects of Saskatoon’s Third Avenue United Church by granting it a heritage property designation.

Council’s planning, development and community services committee voted unanimously on Monday to consider the church’s hammerbeam rafters and Casavant organ as deserving of heritage designation.

The original motion presented to the committee suggested only the exterior of the historic church be considered for the designation. However, Peggy Sargeant, president of the Saskatoon Heritage Society, convinced committee members to also consider heritage protection for some attributes of the interior.

Sargeant said there are several examples of interior spaces in Saskatoon that have been designated for heritage preservation.

“They are regarded as showpieces of the properties, not liabilities,” Sargeant said. “It’s just inconceivable to us that the interior space is not being recognized as valuable.”

Sargeant noted the committee also approved spending $40,000 to help refurbish the historic lobby inside the Broadway Theatre because of its heritage value.

Although the committee approved considering preservation of the church’s interior, city council as a whole must give final approval.

Mayor Charlie Clark pointed out there is no performing arts venue the size of the Third Avenue United Church downtown and to replace it would cost millions of dollars. The church is noted for its exceptional acoustics, Clark noted.

Coun. Zach Jeffries said the conversation about the church’s interior is worth having.

Coun. Troy Davies said he would like the owner of the church to appear before city council when the heritage designation is considered. City staff confirmed the owner, Dale Anderson, was aware of Monday’s committee meeting.

Anderson told The Saskatoon StarPhoenix that people interested in buying the church support the heritage designation.

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